CNN

[...] http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/14/biden-refuses-to-rule-out-new-tax-on-health-care-ben... [...]

Peter E,

You're not worried about government-run health care, huh? You've never lived in a country with government-run health insurance, have you?

I have, and although I lived in one of the better ones, I'm here to say that health care is *way* better here than it was there.

My wife, who is from another country with mostly government-run health care, is astonished by how much better the health care is here than there. She's simply in love with our health care system.

Does that mean our system is perfect? No, but it's much, much better than you and a lot of other people think, because you haven't seen the alternatives. For all its flaws, our current system is better than any goverment-run system I've seen. Even Japan's – which is probably the best of the lot – pales beside ours.

We really need the Public Plan option. At any price, it means that serious claims WILL BE PAID, per plan rules. I would trust the Public Plan, to cover patients if there is a serious and catastrophic illness like cancer, without harassment on bills. Incidentally, I do travel to Canada often, and can tell you that no Canadian will trade their plan for ours.

Barack Obama said when he was runing for President that he would not tax health care benefits. Now they are going the other way. Anyone that is against this, please contact the White House and let them know that we don't like campaign promises rejected now. Obama is doing a fine job, but he has to keep his word. Please contact them.

I want the same health care they get. The best of the best medical care for life with no deductables or co-pay for $35.00 per month.

Reform of health care costs should start with medical malpractice insurance and the awards for medical mistakes. There should be limits on awards, as there are in Europe, since medical care is stringently regulated from the setting of fees to limiting malpractice payments. In any event doctors will no longer be required to pay $20 K a year (or more) in insurance since the state will set the limit of suits an individual could collect.

BTW, I am not a paid republican, I even voted for Obama, and now I am doubting that. I am sick of the taxes!!!

So, I do think that our Health Care system needs a tweak. But maybe a minor tweak.

Go ahead, have universial health care. Do it. All of you will be hurting. The rich will be fine. Everyone else will be suffering. I know what universial health care is ask Canada how they like it. They hate it. To the doctors your just a number and come on we need ONE occupation that is not hurting in our country.

Great President Guys.

why are responsible people getting screwed in all of this??

Pat B said: "I tend to agree with OBSERVER. Health care is too expensive, period! .... because American's didn't stand behind their countries manufacturing and bought foreign imports. .. Remember Overpriced medical professional that when you are driving your Toyota Camri or Honda Accord cause you thought it to be better made than our own American Chevy or Ford and wouldn't support the OVERPRICED..."
==

Get your fact straight. These Auto companies have been producing poor quality/gas guzzle vehices and most the vehicles' parts or the vehicles are being manufacturing in China, Mexico, Russia, etc... They have moved most jobs to these countries. Sorry there is nothing "Made in USA" for these companies. Helath care cost is high because of liability law suits from these lawyers or lawyers became politicians.

People need to take this whole issue into their own hands, from treating their own colds (and recognizing the danger signs for a more serious issue) to taking the time to look into alternative and preventive healthcare. Google a Neti pot some time. This one tool could virtually eliminate 80% of clinic visits regarding suspected sinusitis, allergies, etc. The pharmaceutical companies have lobbyists battling to keep the public dependent and addicted on quick-fix pills that don't cure and only mask symptoms. The gov't "for the people, by the people" is no longer feasible...the public HAS to take this into their own hands and hit the drug companies where it hurts the most. Maybe it's time we take a more spiritual approach to our own demise and stop buying into healthcare to stop the inevitable? Educate yourselves!! CNN has never posted my comments before, why start now? And just who is buying their ad space????? Pfizer? Merck? We'll see...

If they tax health benefits are they going to tax their benefits also?

Why is it ,that when a person goes to the Dr. and has no insurance benefits they are charged more money that someone with Insurance, even with a 20% discount for paying cash and the entire bill at time of service it still cost more money. I do not understand. Everyone should be billed the same fee amount rather they have insurance or not. This is discrimination. Our government allows this? What happen to the discrimination laws or do they apply only to chosen people?

So Joe, you and Obama lied to the nation last fall.

Dear Democrats, you better start preparing for losing House, Senate and Governorships starting this fall.

The goverment is not competitive.
The goverment insurance would knock out private competition.
Anyone that is naive enough to think Joe Biden is not floating a tax increase and seeing what you people think is nuts.
He is talking out both sides of is arse and telling you the taxman cometh. Wakeup.

That's all he Biden is good at? Tax and waste. A JOKER.

Of course Health Care benfits should be taxed. The IRS is considering taxing company provided cell phones that are used for personl calls,. All fringe benefits should be taxed! Why should my fanily be uninsured even though my spouse and I both work? We are not poor but we certainly cannot afford what it would cost for a very limited policy. We had to stop our private insurance when it became a choice between insurance or the mortgage. The health care system in this country is broken. My spouse works for the Fedreral Government but because it is seasonal employment (off 4 months every year) there is no Health Insurance benefit. Why can't health care be a government susidized item just like roads,national parks, schools etc etc. Who decided roads were more worthy of funding than people. Make everything a toll road and then pay to use them! That would help with the oil dependency issue.

It is called double speak otherwise known as lying.
We oppose taxes, oops have to raise some more money to spend.
The last thing I want to run is a car company, I am busy with North Korea, I am busy with Iran, I am busy picking my NCAA winner,
Oops I took over GM. But I wont make any decisions.
Hey Waggoner, You are fired guy. Too bad hate to do it, ouch it hurts.
We dont want to run the company, he voluntarily quit. We did not fire that man.
If we dont pass this 797 Billion stimulus unemployment will go wild. If we pass it we can stop it at 8 %. Well its at 9.4% and growing.
The best lie though is, we will SAVE or CREATE 3 million jobs.
What bull. Trying to give themselves credit for saving jobs when we are at 9.4%. What a joke.

Didn't Obama point the nasty finger at McCain during the campaign, and in his know-it-all voice, say that the Republican plan was to tax health benefits? Now that Obama has bottom in the White House, McCain's idea to tax health benefits sounds like a good idea to him, after all. You figure it out.

Wake up Americans. You are already paying as much taxes as the Europeans and Canadians, yet you have nothing to show for it. You STILL have to go out and purchase a private policy and hope that it is there when you need it. At least they have guaranteed health coverage that can't be denied, has no pre-existing conditions clauses and they don't ever have to worry about losing coverage if they lose a job. And they don't have to deal with an insurance company when they least feel like it (When they are sick or injured) . In short they enjoy life much more and have a lot less stress by not having to worry about going bankrupt due to obscene medical costs. Oh by the way they CAN see the doctor of their choice. I have Blue Cross and you HAVE to see a doctor within the Blue Cross group, or its not covered. Hows that for Private vs. Govn't

If you like the postal service, you'll love federal government-run health care. Lousy, expensive, debt-laden service composed of disgruntled employees with no stake in the bottom line. You clowns on the left and "independent" fools just couldn't see through this pupeteer called Obama.

I'm a Canadian... and so happy to have health insurance that works for me.... THROUGH MY GOVERNMENT. I have had three different tumour diagnoses in the last ten years.... all looked after speedily, compassionately, and successfully. In the U.S. these operations would have put my family into bancruptcy... Here in Canada – I PAID NOTHING. I am a senior – and ALL my prescriptions are FREE to me. This system of health care, was brought in in the Province of Ontario in 1959. It has had tweeking here and there.. – and, nothing is perfect. But I fail to understand how Americans look at the "Canadian system" with such fear. You all should be so lucky!!!!

go Obama!

Unfair to private insurers? You're kidding, right? UNFAIR? What is unfair is that it's more of a business decision to let some 78-year-old lady die of pneumonia or COPD because the insurance companies believe it is too costly to keep her alive. It's unfair that private insurance companies make more money than God-AND-and...try to play God by deciding who shall live and who shall not. THAT is unfair! I hope the "private" insurance companies go to hell.

Bottom line folks, if you don't like the health care move to Europe! My wife is German, a bit of advise, don't just look at their health care (which is far from perfect), look at the TAXES they pay to receive these "benefits". VAT and tons of hidden taxes are everywhere, 5 years living in Europe conviced me! Where in our Constitution or Bill of Rghts does it garantee free/subsidized health care? We should be grateful to live in a country with the personal freedoms we have, most of the world's population is not so lucky! BE AN AMERICAN!!!!

since when did it become a right to have health insurance in the first place? Get a job, get 2 stop blaming other people. Step back and take some responsibility in life and stop trying to get other people to do all the work.

I'd like to see some of the money hidden in off-shore tax havens brought back. Can you just imagine what we could do with that? I'd start with educating the ignorant masses in an effort to tamp down the hate that's about to boil over. CNN, you could do that now – you have the platform.

It's as though we have Taxation without representation. If I oppose a tax on my healthcare benefits who is going to listen? You can send all the letters and comments you want to your representative but nothing ever changes. I got a few breaths of life left maybe the dems can pass legislationt o tax that.......

1-800-complain.blogspot.com

To:

"Larry from RI"

Amen. I fully agree with you. Something certainly has been "rotten" within the health care industry for decades.

Also, why is it that our elected representative we send to Congress are ALL fully covered under a government run health insurance program. But, we the people who sent them there to represent US, still either go WITHOUT health insurance, or continue to PAY TOO MUCH for it!!!!!!!!!

ENOUGH!!!!!!!!! ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's tax economically over-stressed Americans on money they never see. Let's allow non-profit charitable care givers to fall by the wayside. But let's guarantee medical professionals and insurance conglomerates don't lose a dime. And if the American people don't like it, we'll make it illegal NOT to have insurance and penalize them civilly, and maybe criminally, for having the unmitigated audacity to be too poor to afford medical care.
Keep your powder dry.

For instance, I can afford to pay my own way if I am uninsured. I don't need the government to pay for me to have watered coverage. I just need to be able to afford insurance. Since I am over 50 and have had a few ailments – insurance companies want to charge me $6000 a month for insurance, if they will even insure me at all. That's $6000 a MONTH!

You don't need to put together some big spending program to fix the problem for people like me. And a good percentage of the people without insurance are in precisely the same position. If you make it affordable – I can more than pay my way. Lots of us could pay for insurance if the government would force these people to insure us reasonably.

There is no need for big new programs and entitlements. You can fix things with comprehensive regulation and some assistance to those who still can't pay after that. But in no way to you need to pay for 47 million people. Obama is playing games with us.

Hey Pete

I see you threw out the "paid republcans" qoute out there as a pre-emptive strike. You are obviously an ACORN nut.

Nice little dig about the "terrorist attack" too. Of course, I assume your talking about the shameless muslim convert who cowardly shot down the military recruiter. That is the only terrorist attack I am aware of.

Get back to drooling, Lib.

Larry could not have said it better !

Health care isn't working in Massachusetts the cost aren't contained like it was supposed to be. If a state can't do it right you know the FEDS will really screw it up!!!!!! Before Obama does Health care let him fix the other problems that he started or has on his plate. Just because Obama has a idea don't start it and throw everyone into it when the majority are happy with their health care don't want to change be thrown into a government program that will give you less and pay more. Then Biden said that they may tax health benefits , lets get a clear accounting of ALL who don't have health care ,why they don't are they US citizens. I don't know what the rush is to take our health care away the best in ALL THE WORLD unless the UAW is going to take over

Many companies give you an opt out in flexible benefit's plans. I don't have to get health insurance. So if I opt out, there is nothing to tax. Instead I will let the government cover me at someone else expense.

Yes everyone deserves healthcare if we can afford it or not. Let's just print the money, become more in debt because everyone should be entitled to everything and 'the government' (that's really us) should pay for it.

Wake up people America is about the 'pursuit' of happiness not the 'entitlement' of happiness.

It is a wonder to me that those who know nothing about the European system for health care think it is so good. I worked with Europeans via a global corporation and the Europeans that can aford health care do NOT get it in Europe.... they come to America.

Enough said.

Listen, there already is a good health care plan...Medicare. Medicare should be extended for all. Employers should give employees what it cost them to provide health care. This would boost salaries and allow employees to purchase supplemental insurance if they so choose. A standard formula should be instituted for medical malpractice suits against doctors, in much the same fashion that child support is figured out in custody cases. Make a fair formula and apply it across the board. Prescription plans, eye plans and dental plans must also be considered standard coverage. I think it would be paid for by electronic stream lining of medical records, enforcing fraud laws already on the books and by copays of reasonable amounts ($10, $15). That's my take on it. The rest is politics and I'm not interested.

Pete, you are going to be paying $250 in taxes plus the $450 you are already paying. Too many Obama supporters are in a state of denial to see what's really going on in this country.

idiots here thinking Biden and OBama are looking out for your health care concerns....The King story about Orlando is a farce; a fragment of the true story....across the nation most that do not have insurance or cannot afford it, failed to plan...and now what those that were responsible and planned to cover thier asses...sure, there are a few hard luck cases...but when you see Jose leaving wal-mart with a flat screen, getting into his Escalade and then showing up at the ER because he has no insurance...well, it's a shame....

AVERAGE AMERICAN's correct; OBama's had intentions all along of taxing even the poor to get his agenda through...you stupid libs thought it wouldn't affect you..

Average American

************************************

You are right in what you said here. Democrats have always had a track record of taxing business, and we wonder why jobs are going overseas to friendlier places. I work and I pay for my families insurance coverage. I do not want to have to pay for everyone else too.

Obama is bringing change alright, the poor will get poorer and the middle class lose its jobs to big government taxing thier jobs overseas.

To those saying we have one of the worst health care systems in the industrialized world....then why do foreigners come here so frequently for health care?? As a former hospital employee I can't tell you the number of people I saw who brought over elderly parents from another country so they could receive their care here. I realize I don't fully know the extent of how this gov't run health care program would work, but how would adding to the tax burden of those who are fortunate enough to have company-sponsered health insurance help them? So now not only would they be paying out of pocket for some of their own expenses, but they'd have to pay for other people's as well?? On top of Medicare and Medicaid???

After reading a dozen or so postings Ive not come to a conclusion on publicaly funded health care......but I have come to one conclusion I think if you take Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity off the air maybe some of these people would have to think for themselves and not spoow whatever canned garbage thats been fed to them via corporate interest programs

If they do this all employers will drop ins then we all can be on the gov dole

Between government owned/run health care, goreble wallet warming cap & trade – we will be lucky to get $1.00 out of our paychecks and that is starting with those making $15,000 per year and up. Then they will force us to take that $1.00 and buy and enclosed golf cart made by government motors.

When you get all the illegal aliens off our medical system who aren't paying for health care, we'll have A LOT more money to fix our ailing healthcare problems. 20 to 40 million illegals are putting a monumental strain on America's hospitals who feel they must treat all comers regardless of their nationality or financial ability to pay. That's admirable, but the illegals KNOW we'll treat them for free and specifically cross the borders to use our hospitals. Of course they're going to stay in our country if we give them free medical, dental, schooling, housing, and welfare. They are laughing at us and spitting on our country.

Of course, we will have to raise taxes for universal health coverage, but we should have universal coverage for all American citizens. This will free a big burden off small businesses and encourage innovations. Better yet, it will give small businesses a fair start to compete with big corporations, which pay a much lower premium for health coverage premium. Then small businesses will start to contribute their share of taxes later.

When the economy turns innovative and productive, everyone benefits.

If this government health care plan passes, watch employers bail out of paying for healthcare plans, after all you have the government plan.

Now we will ahve some government bean counter deciding which procedures we will be allowed to have.

60 or older sorry your to old to get that kidney transplant, need a pacemaker? sorry not cost effective at your age. x-ray – sorry you allready had one this year.

If government gets involved, you can be assured they will screw it up and screw us over.

The real problems with healthcare:

1) many insured people do not take advantage of their preventive care benefits which are typically 100% paid by the health plan;

2) many people eat like pigs and sit on their a$$e$ all day, to wit 67% of Americans are overweight and ticking time bombs and 33% are obese and unnecesarily cost the system for teatment of type 2 diabetes and chronic pain;

3) too many people in certain geographic areas continue to smoke;

4) we have a synthetic society with bloodstreams full of legal drugs.

Throw money at the problem and the situation will get even worse. It's time for personal accountability. Yes, people, I've seen the healthcare enemy, and he is us.

$600 billion NEW TAX INCREASE on that healthcare proposal by the DEMOCRAPS!

Are you ready to pay more taxes when you can barely put food in your table?

Do you want to have rationed healthcare like Canada and Great Britain? Don't you know in UK right now they are refusing treatment for some patients with cancer, just let the person die, it will save them MORE money than saving it. There are states now in USA like Washington State ASSISTED SUICIDE when people don't want treatment anymore. Sure go ahead with nationalized healthcare, the federal govt will see to it those whose treatment are expensive can die LEGALLY.

except for bribes to the politicians, there is no reason to protect the profits of the private insurers.

so maybe the politicians should stop taking bribes.

Tax, borrow and spend liberals are digging their political graves. Not a bad thing.

No public option? Watch what the republicans start calling for in the 2012 campaigns. I can almost hear the GOP chanting universal coverage. They will denigh to Obama what they will need to take back the white house. No public option? A guarantee Obama will be a one term, didn't do much president.

Quit cowtowing to the GOP and find your spine.

Republican or Democrat, When talking about taxes and government run programs, one must consider that the 250K income cap will probably mean very little once inflation kicks in within the next decade. Fair minded economis' will tell you that the annual 3% average will not be such in the next decade. Therefore, a household making 100K today may need to make 200K by 2019 to get by. That's not far off the 250K cap. We have a social responsibility to help those less fortunate, however, one hand must wash the other or both hands will eventually get dirty... Government gives you health benny's, you build them infrastructure in your free time.

Okay...where do I send the contents of my bank account and wallet...this is getting crazy...and this is only the beginning of which will be FOUR long years of the Obama gang raping us of our livelihood and our future of ever living the "American Dream"...where will it end?

What else do you expect from tax and spend democrats?

he certainly opposed it, when McCain said he was going to tax our health benefits. Now he's considering it, has he done one thing that he promised. The middle class can't take any more taxes. I pay for my own health care through payroll deductions, I pay my mortgage, I'm tired of paying for everyone else, and I'm tired of this President going back on what he ran on.

It seems that Biden is the focal point of the CNN headlines today. Where is the Big Dog? He is telling the little dog to fetch and heal. Evidently the press has not had adequate access to the Big Dog to ask the tough questions, or..........???

It's not "health care reform" we need. It's INSURANCE REFORM. Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama dominates in my home state. Whatever (low) rate of repayment they set, that's it. Almost no one will compete with them in Alabama.

It's the INSURANCE COMPANIES that fuel the high cost of health care... along with the DRUG COMPANIES.

As long as these two industries can do whatever they want, whenever they want and whatever cost they want... it's never going to get better. And if they tax health benefits that employers provide, they will simply stop providing health care insurance at all.

I am retired with a small pension. The company that I retired from pays about $600.00 a month for my health care. So the blood suckers want to tax my benefits that means I will receive far less pension that the small one I am receiving ( under $25.000) while congress and everyone else including illegal aliens get a free pass at my expense? Then there is the rising cost of gasoline and those oil speculators and medical speculators treat Americans as commodities. the democrats need to wake up or end up with losing congress and the Presidency in the next election. enough is enough!

You and Obama lied, Say it ain't so Joe! Wow, what a shocker, new taxes, guess technically they can say they didn't RAISE taxes, just creating a whole bunch of NEW taxes. Great idea, destroy health care and raise our taxes to do it. Yes we need reform, but what they're doing isn't the solution, it's a rushed through mess.

Why do everytime the republicans says something mixed with fear the same people that was with the president on his policies turns against him when the republicans poke fear in them dont you know this is a old tastic by the republicans.Its obvious thy are trying to win back their base. thats why all the negativity. Wake up supporters either you are for him or against the administration.

Obama's not going to raise taxes on 95% of the people. You fools bought into that crap, the rest of us KNEW taxes would be raised and there will be more tax increases to come. Democrats tax and spend, what don't you seem to get about that? Quality health care in this country will become a thing of the past, we will have the quality that Medicare has.....NONE! To save costs they will eliminate tests that save lives.

Why don't these career politicians realize that a tax on those corporations that contribute to America's health problems would be an ideal way to raise revenue for health care reform. If all the corporations that pump poisons and toxins into our food and water supplies were made to cover the diseases they cause, it would go a long way to improving the health of Americans. The rule in micro-economics is: If you tax something, you get less of it than you would in a "free-market" situation. If we tax health insurance benefits, we will get less benefits than we presently do. If we tax poisons and toxins at their points of origin in our food supply and our water supply, it will reduce the demand on medical care to treat people for these diseases. I say, "follow the money..."

in regards to" Observers" comments on health care in Germany,
yes it was quite good some years back, now there are frequent increases on
co-pays. diff medications for diff level of insured etc etc.
in other words, if you a big shot/govt worker you have much better
health coverage then the average Joe.
yes the part of Dr. visits at home still is correct ?
the grass is not always greener on the other side.
and Canada (and I have friends there) if you want to wait 6 mo
for a Dr. appointment – then move there.

The Beatles got it absolutely right...

If you get too cold, they'll tax the heat.
If you take a walk, they'll tax your feet.

This administration won't be happy until every person in the US is making exactly $14,081 a year; every CEO's to the unemployed.

Sorry I am just not going to drink the purple coolaid on this one. This will fall on the backs of hard working democrats and republicans. There are not enough wealthy people to support a bill this large!

So... we the middle and lower middle class are going to get shafted.
Then you will tax carbon emissions and our electricity, food and taxes go waay up too?

So in the next few years only non tax paying politicians of both parties will be able to afford a roof over their heads.

How long are we going to let politicians lie to us in the face while reaching into our back pockets without our say so.

THESE PEOPLE are supposed to be working for us! Not the other way around. They have no idea how to spend money wisely and it is time WE ALL stood up to them.

Do normal people ever add comments or is it just the crazies with extremist views?

Why would we want to put the Health Care system into the hands of the people who can't run Medicaid, Medicare, or the VA Health System? Face it, whichever administration is in charge, the US Government has not been able to run the US Government. Let us not give them something else to ruin. Force Congress to clean up the mess they made with Social Security and the deficit before we let them make another one.

Those who think the doctor's outrageous salaries are to blame need to realize that something like 3% of each dollar spent on healthcare goes towards paying medical personnel. They should also realize that doctors frequently lose money for services reimbursed with medicare. In all honesty entitlements need to be cut to some extent. We all know medicare is not sustainable, and is part of the problem. We promised healthcare for those who have paid into the system for years, but is it worth it to bankrupt the system in order to fulfill this promise? Besides I'm paying into the system and won't ever see anything for it...

Pete...
Europeans are complaining about their healthcare because it's killing their economy. Look at countries like France.

If our healthcare is such an embarassement, then why do more people from around the world come here to get treated than any other nation. The issue has more to do with finding ways to get healthcare more accessible to people. The government can't run a system this large and complex.

Until we can get past greed, we will never have decent medical care. . How many more running events and collecting pink yogurt labels do we need to find a cure for breast cancer? Do we have a cure for diabetes or maybe we don't have a cure for diabetes because what would this do to the pharmaceutical companies and their profits? Until we can put people before profits, there will be no change.

"Pay Go" -Obama 2009

What a silly fool he is when you actually take time to listen to his words..

The Government can't even run medicare and medicaid. How will they run the entire healthcare of this country. Anyone who drank the koolaid that thinks the government runs things better than the private sector give me one example of a program the government runs well. Everything they runs goes bankrupt. Look at Social Security. People need to wake up and start voting for people that will give power back to the states where it belongs.

How about we start by making this country competitive again. 1) allow the federal government to only tax imported goods and services, 2) abolish ALL social programs funded by the federal government, 3) repeal the 16th Amendment, 4) strip congress of their retirement and health care plans as well as impose term limits on ALL elected offices, 5) stock up on firearms and ammunition so we can repel the tyranny we now face.

I don't know why we won't recognize Cuba. We will be like them very soon.

It's about time for a full out revolt against royalty in DC. They should be stripped of ALL perks We the people demand a repeal of the 16th Amendment. We the people demand Congress represent US not themselves and their special interest handlers. The corruption MUST stop NOW.

Gov't health care.

Ask a Canadian how long it takes to get an appointment with a specialist.

Inquire why Canadians in Vancouver come down to Seattle for various procedures and surgeries at their cost – totally outstide of the the Canadian system.

Not sure that is what I want.

This country is truly uneducated. When the government does anything is does it poorly. When the government steps in, competition is taken away and thus, what ever is being managed is poorly managed because there is no competition. I dont want to pay any more in taxes. I pay enough in taxes and those wanting people to pay more are typically those who do not work hard or who expect something for nothing.

Also, no one here seems to be mentioning that Obama promised that households that make less that 250K would not see a tax increase but yet taxing my health care benefits is a tax increase. They will back track and claim they said no increased taxes on revenue and clim the benefits are something different. Once the government gets ahold of the insurance industry, this country will cease to be anymore than a large Canada or France where we slowly start working for the government.

To me nothing for nothing means nothing, someone have to pay for it if its going to happen. I want this and with Gods help we are going to get it. And i Has health insurance and thank God for it but what about the ones who dont have it and cant afford it so the picture here is bigger than me and mines. I want the Obama administration to keep on keeping on with this no matter what opposition says.

I work for a Fortune 500 company, three years ago they changed our health insurance and it is just terrible. Three years earlier I was paying high premiums, but the insurance was pretty good, now I pay high premiums and it just stinks. I had skin cancer and still had to pay thousands out of my own pocket. Also certain things were denied all together. The insurance companies dictate what I need, what is the difference if the government does it, someone that doesn't know me from Adam is doing the same thing now. Also we are paying the health insurance premiums for all government workers and they have great insurance. I want and demand the same thing.
Myrna

If there going to tax the health benifit then they need to tax those that use welfare as a free ride.

No one, and I mean 'no one' should be surprised that they are talking about taxing everything they can possibly tax. This is what liberals do, so they can 'play' to their constituents that vote them in office. Hang on to your hats people, you 'ain't' seen nothing yet!!!
Don't blame me, I didn't vote for him, although I voted for the 'lesser of 2 evils'. You get what you vote for, and after this don't believe all the empty promises, and the fact is that the prez and his hand picked cohorts don't have a clue on what they are doing..............just spend, spend, spend & let the taxpayers worry about it when we tax, tax, tax,................
People who don't want to work should not have the same benefits that hard working people work for, and that includes cell phones, tvs, ipods, etc. During the depression, we bought what we could afford.... Period. We had NO food stamps, or welfare.

Let me clarify the title of my comment in case some people misinterpret it in some bad way. It is over for Obama, because within his term, after the huge expenditures, there will be little improvement in the economy, and perhaps his misdirected policies will have already begun to push up taxes and costs on the average taxpayer. He will not be electable for another term, unless the Republicans continue to screw up and can't find a common voice and theme.

The objective of this administration is to take as much money as they can from everyone making more than $250k and distribute it to everyone making less. That way we will all make the same. Anyone here who liked living in the good old USSR?

Pete,

You're a typical liberal. Only you have the right to free speech but when someone challenges you, they should be censored. Everyone has the right to express their opinions and should CNN filter posts, then they are no longer a news agency, instead they are no differnet then the theocracy people are fighting right now in Iran. You too will be screaming soon enough when this nations incompetent president begins taxing you into debt. Last I checked this was supposed to be a democracy, not a socialist nation.

High time for the blood sucking Health Care industry to be taken out of the hands of bean counters and Wall St. speculators and make them all non-profit.

Since when is the health care of every citizen of the USA no more than a commodity to be traded like pork bellies and soy beans on the stock market while the CEO's who run them line their pockets with billions?

Something smells rotten here!

First, they will TAX your employer provided health care. Then, they will tax industry produced Carbon-dioxide emissions (cap & TAX), which you will pay for. Then, they will tax the carbon-dioxide you exhale. Then, they will tax the methane you produce. Then, they will TAX........

Why not start taxing all advertisements (which are 100% deductible) for companies grossing $1 million or more? How many 100's of billions of dollars are not taxed due to this loop hole. I bet you won't see a report on cnn about it!!!!!!! There is more money to be made through taxing advertisement write-offs, than by taxing the working people. Just ask a working person.

wow, we are some truly ignorant people now aren't we? Joe Biden did not say they were going to tax benefits, nor has Obama proposed doing so. CNN, it is shameless and fraudulent of you to post such a headline.

....and PS, please keep the PAID Replucian posters off the board. They will incite even more lies and the, how do I say, "more gullable" of americans read what they are posting. Haven't we had enough Terrorist attacks over the last week??

PPS- I would rather pay $250 more a month in taxes, than to pay the $450 I pay now or the $750 additonal amount my company pays. Stop the lies Republicans. YOu are only trying to protect the Big Insurance and Farma Groups who are paying you to do so. No one in Europe is complaining about their health care. Our health care system is a global embarassmetn for the USA.

The repubilicans r sadly mistaken about the current health care system. They pretend that we have a prefect system that covers people wonderfully and that nobody pays into a private system for years and then gets denied coverage when they need it. The bottom line is we need reform in the current system

As dim as Biden is, even he has to realise that any sort of broad-based new tax will pretty much ensure his boss will be a one-term president.

If the American public have to end up paying taxes on medical benefits, then they better make sure that each and everyone working for the federal government who receives medical benefits, that they too will have to pay taxes on them!

I'm not worried about government run health care. Bureaucrats already decide my health, it just happens to be private companies. If anyone, including the government, can offer me cheaper alternative, I would take it. I don't care if it's through taxes or fees. Private insurance companies are already taxing me enough. It's still money leaving my pocket. I want something cheaper!

Taxation with lousy representation.

Such a tax would raise taxes or those making less than $250K. The promise was to not do this. One of many promises that have not been kept.

Of course...............the demoncrats, right up to our new president refuse to rule out new taxes.............that's THEIR AMERICAN WAY. That's the change they're talking about.

Get ready for much more government pickpocketing folks.

Where's the tape CNN? When are you guys going to stop protecting these progressive liars!?

We will not raise your taxes one singe penny. -Obama 2008

What he is talking about is the same shop warn plan Edward Kennedy, has been trying to shove down Americans throat for 20 years. Every 4 years Kennedy drags out this half baked plan and tries to sell it.

In the mean time Kennedy, has a FREE LIFE TIME medical plan paid in full by the taxpayers...It does not cost him a dime....And this aplies to every member of Congress and Obama..

Until Americans come to grips with the fact that we cant balance or budgets without raising taxes, we will keep swimming in red ink.

There is so much WRONG with the pabulum coming from this administration that the country cannot believe anything that comes out of the oval office, it seems every day Obama is turning back on his promises. You on the left – right and in the middle WAKE UP we will all lose in the end if the brakes are not applied to these wayard, childish dreamers who expiriment with our country with marxist ideal's.

Observer and Russ H are telling the truth, I have a nephew that lives in England and has had no problems whatsoever and not a complaint, on the contrary, they talk very well about the health care they receive.

As you can see, most people that are posting here do not get information prior to sending their comments and you can tell that they have not been out of this country.

Also, HOUSE CALLS here in the US???? Be glad if the doctor doesn't charge you for a telephone call to his office!!!!!!

I will be THRILLED to have a health care program like the one in Europe!

And people, please when you send a comment always remember that there are Europeans, Canadians and other people from other countries that are reading them. We are the greatest country in the world let's not show them how stupid we are!!!!!!

To "Rev. Wright here"

Nonsense. If you don't like the idea of TAXING healthcare, you should direct those concerns to the GOP for creating such a notion, not Vice President Biden.

Dave in TX,

Please get your story straight...taxing healthcare benefits is NOT on the table from this administration–that's a Republican idea. The Obama administration simply won't rule it out if it's part of a larger acceptance of comprehensive reform...

That's NOT "hypocricy" [sic] as you purported; that's pragmatism in consensus building.

Come on America I know it is hard to make ends meet now a days but it is time to pay higher taxes so a bunch of fat lazy people who don't work, don't work out and live unhealthy lives can get some free medical care paid for by you and I. You didn't make them fat, didn't make them lazy and are not the reason they are unable to hold a job. But it is your patriotic duty to support these people from the cradle to the grave.

The bottom line is Americans should have healthcare coverages
What the government should do is to sent some experts body to various countries like Canada, Britain,Europe etc., to study healthcare systems.
These experts can studies both pros and cons, bring results of studies back to US and use the information to create US healthcare systems.

Thanks joe, Taxes on the rise i take it that you and obama will be visiting me in church in 4 years..........

Any number of arguements and countermeasures to reform healthcare will face stiff resistance from the parties with vested interests and the general public. Remember the 800-lb gorilla?

The latest in a long line of lies by the fraud in chief.

This never worked a day in his life fraud LIED to get elected and is changing his tune on what he said to get ELECTED and some smart Democrats are starting to call him in on it.

The rest of the Dimocrats are sheep and will always be stupid, moronic, Keith Olbermann watching sheep.

Maybe you nitwits will start taking notice when your money starts missing from your checks, the Obama sheep that work of course, which are not many.

Obama says "we live in the greatest Country in the world, help me fix it"???????????????????

whatever it takes, people do not give darn hoot, than fixing this health care....we need to cover all american citizens......hospitals are robbing the nation on the pretext of health care....even hiring foreigners for medical residencies, while lot of MDs, PAs, available....shame....shame....biden, fix health care...cover all americans...it is needed right now...in USA........

What republicans fail to mention is the largest socialist agenda ever passed by the last president called medicare part D with no negotiation for prescription drugs. All current estimates have it bankrupting the goverment within the next 10 years, thats no money for police, fire, military, education you name it, this program alone takes 110% of revenue. Our health care system is ranked one of the lowest in the industrialized world. 25% of americans can't even get healthcare coverage. I am so tired of republican fear mongering throwing the word socialism, lets face facts, the wealthy have had socialism for years with corporate bailouts, no bid contracts, market protections, the list goes on and on. The GOP doesn't fear socialism, they fear losing THEIR socialism they've had in place for years. Let the Democrats fix it, they are the only ones in 30 years that's ever balanced a budget and shrank the size of goverment.

Writing is on the wall. This administration will make middle class and all others to pay. They are so much in debt and also counties/states are getting less revenue so taxation is the solution for them and it will be a disaster. I hope American people will realize it sooner than later. Barack and Joe wants to destroy our economy, our health system, etc.

Writing is on the wall. This administration will make middle class and all others to pay. They are so much in debt and also counties/states are getting less revenue so taxation is the solution for them and it will be a disaster. I hope American people will Belize it sooner than later. Barack and Joe wants to destroy our economy, our health system, etc.

I tend to agree with OBSERVER. Health care is too expensive, period! Without insurance, it cost $200 just to go to the doctors if you have the flu. In today's market who can affort that? I am lucking enough to work for the DoD and have decent health care. I pay $250 a month for family coverage while the DoD pays $750. Then I have a deductible to meet so the first $500 comes out of pocket. Now I go to the doctors and have to pay my co-pay; $25 plus labs. The American populace decided that the overpriced autoworker had to go from $28 and hour with benefits down to $14 without benifits because American's didn't stand behind their countries manufacturing and bought foreign imports. Well folks, it is time to pay up; you set the standard for American corporations to follow suit and re-evaulate wages and benefits. More and more companies are reducing wages and medical benifits. The average Joe cannot affort medical coverage because Medical personnel have outpriced themselves and the government has got to step in to help all those less fortunate get cared for when sick. It is not the government to blame for health care revamping...it is the selfish American with the "all about me" attitude. Remember Overpriced medical professional that when you are driving your Toyota Camri or Honda Accord cause you thought it to be better made than our own American Chevy or Ford and wouldn't support the OVERPRICED autoworker or you decide to take that trip overseas cause the US has nothing to offer in cultrue; you caused the necessity of government involvment in all aspects from bank bail outs to the newly formed Goverment Motors to the soon to be socialized health care! I hope all greedy Americans are happy; you have no one to blame but yourselves.

I watched theinterview and I don't think Mr. Biden was saying that these benefits will be taxed.

Mr. Biden was saying that he will not let a TV commentator / host prempt the outcome of the bi-partisan team working on this by getting him (the VP) to confirm or deny David Gregory's loaded question / speculation. I applaud the VP for doing this. I wish more guests on these shows would challenge the premise the TV hosts put forth in their tabloid-like, provactive "questions".

TAX these benefits and 180 million American's will revolt. The senators ( Bacus & Grassley) should be run out of town by their constituents if they propose this. The PRESIDENT should publically call them to account in a prime time news conference, if they push this.

Here's where John McCain's statement .... "I'll make them famous .... you'll know their names" is something the Administration should adopt.

As an Obama supporter, I don't like the idea of taxing my company's health insurance. There has to be another way to pay for coverage for the uninsured.

We have tons of cash in washington that gets wasted on corporate subsidies and welfare for the rich. We could have awesome national health care if our congress had the guts to get it done!

I think it OUTRAGEOUS to take away benefits from the elderly in the name of "health policy!" Bring your health care system UP TO THE LEVEL OF MEDICARE, Mr. Obama.

Older Americans have contributed to Medicare for their ENTIRE WORKING LIVES with the PROMISE of full Medicare benefits. Now you want them to sacrifice something as basic as good health care to your politically correct scheme.

If you want to get serious about the cost of health care, why haven't you overturned the legislation that REQUIRES Medicare NOT to shop for the best prices on drugs by now? This is a true no-brainer.

And why haven't you done something to forbid advertising of prescription drugs?? All that money would buy a LOT of needed drugs, Mr. Obama. Because most doctors own stock in drug companies? How much money have YOU taken from drug companies?

Or is the drug lobby that you FAILED to bounce out of the back rooms of Congress?

Looking for money to pay for health care? How come nobody ever talks about the outrageous profits doctors and drug companies get? How about a hearing on THAT issue?

You might even consider keeping your so-called "promise" to get out of Iraq. That's where our money goes. Not to us, but to rebuilding Iraq. And Iraqis have government sponsored health care.

You millionaires are all alike. You know nothing about ordinary people. Among other things, you think we're pretty dumb, don't you?

If anyone seriously thinks the government will not deny some treatments just as private insurance now does, that someone is seriously naive. Medicare nor medicaid pays for everything, now. How do you suppose a new, very expensive system is going to pay for itself? Cutting medicaid and medicare doesn't sound like a sensible idea unless, of course, you figure that untreated, old people will just die off and spare some expense. The middle class is going to be devastated from taxes need to fund another giant government boondoggle. By the time they get that rolling and then pass their climate change bill plus every other knee jerk, poorly researched and always unread bill from their wish list, we will have nothing left to tax. The rich will not suffer; they didn't get rich by being stupid. The poor are already taken care of.....and don't pretend they aren't. And the people who pay for all of it are, you guessed it, the middle class. The same people who have been paying through the nose all along and who get the shaft every time.

Joe, President Barack Obama and Senator Max Baucus.., if you 'tax' the small business owner.., the small business owner 'will close' and the employee or employees will be without a job and health care insurance. We just made things worse. Mike in Montana

I like what the Observer states about Europe. I have a daughter and son-in-law that stated in Germany after I retired from the Army. Their system is by far the best. They make an appointment, see the doctor and gone. No paperwork or checking on insurance to see if they are qualified. Also I have met some real good doctors when I was over there.

If we tax everyone at 100% ( except our leaders, I love Obama ) then issue alittle back to each person leagal or not , we would all be OK.

Our family will pay $1,800 a year to support other people. We chose to work in the public sector, AND TAKE LESS MONEY, for the health care and retirement. Now we are going to get screwed. We pay our mortgage, we don't have debt, and OBAMA is going to tax us more and we make half of that $250,000 that wan't supposed to see a tax increase. THANKS FOR LYING TO US OBAMA.

Of course he wont rule out more taxes, this is what this administartion is about, more taxes, bigger government, unlimited spending, redistribution..... They are playing the socialist playbook to a tee. Fortunately I think the American people are slowly waking up

As long as we lewt private health insurance companies determine what care we can get, and let them turn away people that really need health care so they can make even bigger profits only rich people will be able to get good health care. There is no free lunch anymore. Health care does cost money. The problemn that wed must face is the current system does not work and it is costing more and more and giveing less and less. As long as you can afford the excessive cost of care you do not care but once you are turned away from a hospital because you can't afford to pay and they have already fullfilled their free servicde obligation and they turn you away or let you die in the waiting room you might think about the need for reform. But then it will be too late.

The health care reform is needed, but there are people posting here that refuse to understand. One: The plan does not require you to give up your current health care plan. Two: If you are uninsured any plan is better than NONE. There are too many people in this GREAT COUNTRY that are one illness away from bankrupcy. I lived in Germany and used there government controled health care system. Anyone posting lies about how bad their systemj is has never been outside the USA. The German System works and no one in Germany has toi worry about seeing a doctor. Oh and byu the way the doctors in Gedrmany are just as good if not better than those in the USA. My wife was sick once and they even make house calls. When was the last time you had a doctor make a hose call?

The way to fix healthcare is not to have government become more involved with it. I work in healthcare and the most dysfunctional part of the system is all the government involvment. Let's face it, how many things can anyone point out that worked out well, efficiently, and in a cost effective manner that had the government involved with it. Common sense is the key and the government has none of this

It's patriotic to pay more taxes isn't it Joe?? Might want to tell the assembled cabinet they should pay their taxes every year–not just when they get vetted for a high profile job. The millionaires and congressional members will have the best health care and the rest of the average people will have to fight for medical. I don't relish the thought of being told I cannot have a medical test because my insurance doesn't cover it. Tell that to my dead aunt who was denied lung xrays because "medicare" would not authorize it and found out after she paid to have them done with her own dollars that she had stage 3 lung cancer and was never a smoker.

Obama will be known as the President who talked the talk but couldn't walk the walk.

Ok, he opposes it, but doesn't rule it out? Seriously?

Oh, and "catmom", have you ever dealt with Medicare and Medicaid? There's a reason why there are so many other supplemental programs. The quality under the government programs is a billion times worse than anything I've encountered under a private plan. The republicans aren't scaring me, it's the idiocy that the Democrats will take care of me while bleeding me dry with their taxes.

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To the politicians, you are all liars and cheats. You say one thing when your running fir office and do just the opposite when you are elected. Who are the people behind the scenes that are paying you off. Why do you favor the rich over the poor. You forget at your peril who makes his country up and who's sweat and tears forge this country. The world and the American people are watching you and your behavior toward the middle class and poor in this country. Don't bite the hand that feeds you or you may go down in history as .........
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It’s going to be sooooo expensive to the middle class taxpayer if they make employer contributions to health insurance taxable. This is the main reason I voted against McCain when Obama knocked him for the idea during the campaign. I've had health insurance my whole adult life, and it’s not cheap, but I've considered it a necessity. Now I’m supposed to pay for other people who can’t or don’t want to pay for it?

I'm listening to Romney now telling us that we do not need the government involved in health care but I still don't understand why. He then goes on and talks about the cost of Medicaid since its conception. HELLOOOO!!! The cost of everything has increased over the years, get real. He continues with the myth that people won't have a choice. Excuse me, but people who are now covered by Medicare and Medicaid have a choice. They can go to any physician that accepts the coverage. Don't let Republicans scare you which they are trying to do. Investigate it for yourselves. Actually talk to people who are covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Of course there are people who have problems with these programs, but people who are purchasing private health care have problems as well.

The hypocricy of this administration continues month after month. I loved it when King played Obama's blasting of this suggestion by McCain–and now it's on the table.

The graph that John King had up this morning that shows how much $$$$$ Obama and the democrats are borrowing compared to the Iraq war and WWII should be on CNNs homepage; the top of the hour and the bottom of the hour newscasts for the next 5 days. And these guys haven't been in office 6 months.

How many "normal Amercans" really get what this means?Remember, these guys said "not a single nickel" of tax increases. But now we could get taxed for our private healthcare; they are considering the VAT; how about that soda tax? How about the penalties that will come if you are obese? Expect a food tax. Start eating chinese. We are in a lot of trouble and these guys just want to keep the ball rolling.

Shed the politics of it all, democrat or republican, look at your paystub, your budget, your electric bill, the water bill, the gas in your car; the vacation you're not taking anytime soon--then look at that graph. Get it up on the homepage CNN so everyone can get the DEBT picture burned in their mind. Then look at your kids, think about their kids, and their kids, and then call your congressman. Things need to be changed, and right now, it's spending.

Let's face the truth heads-up. Medicare & Medicaid only work because someone else pays taxes to furnish the services. The taxes I have paid over the last 50 years or so have all been spent. If we add more uninsured population to the entitlement system, the taxpayers will have to pay that somehow. Reducing what medical providers receive from the government will not work because they have already been cut to the point that providers are refusing to see Medicare or Medicaid patients. Stop telling us that we will benefit from spending money now for unspecified cost savings in the future. Or, just go ahead and admit that if taxes are not increased, then less care is our only other option.